What the Sale of Champions Is
The Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions is the auction that closes out the 4-H and FFA livestock shows. Sixteen young exhibitors sell the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion animals in their species to hometown and national supporters. It is managed by the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA), which was established in 1988 to recognize the thousands of 4-H and FFA members who complete agriculture projects and go on to ag careers. Sale proceeds also fund the IFAA scholarship program.
The 2026 sale set an all-time record of $734,000. The Grand Champion FFA Market Hog sold for $155,000, a new Sale of Champions record, and several other champion lots also set record prices, including the FFA Market Lamb, 4-H Meat Goat and 4-H Market Broilers. The hog was raised by Jillian Woodruff of Moorland.
Who Sells
Only exhibitors whose animals win Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion in their species during the fair's 4-H and FFA livestock shows earn a place in the sale. That makes 16 sellers in all. There is no entry for the sale itself: the way in is to win your species at the fair.
Exhibitors who want to qualify first have to enter the shows. For 4-H, entries go through FairEntry and the deadline is July 1 (late entries are accepted to July 8 with a late fee). FFA members enter through their ag instructor by the same date.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Show week. Champions are chosen in each species during the livestock shows. In 2026, for example, the 4-H market steer and market heifer show was held on a Wednesday and the champions paraded that evening.
- Sale day. The sale is held on the last Saturday of the fair. The 2026 sale was on Saturday, August 22, with the 4-H beef schedule listing a 2:00 p.m. start in the Penningroth Sale Ring.
- Scholarships. The same day, IFAA recognizes scholarship winners. In 2026, 93 recipients received a combined $239,600 in post-secondary scholarships.
- Results. The fair posts a results sheet after the sale.
What Exhibitors Get
- Sale money. At the 2023 sale, exhibitors received 75 percent of their animal's sale price, and the Foundation kept 25 percent for scholarships and sale expenses.
- Trailer use. In 2023, exhibitors of the Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, FFA Market Hog, 4-H Market Lamb and 4-H Breeding Heifer each received one-year use of an aluminum livestock trailer from Featherlite, Inc., of Cresco, Iowa. Grand Champion 4-H and FFA Market Meat Goat exhibitors received aluminum toppers.
- Scholarships. IFAA's Winner's Circle Scholarship Program gives scholarships to over a hundred students a year who plan to study agriculture after high school, and the foundation has raised more than $11 million since 1988 (as of the 2023 sale).
Recent Sale Records
| Year | Sale total | Top lot |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $704,500 | Grand Champion FFA Market Hog, $150,000; Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer, $90,000 |
| 2026 | $734,000 | Grand Champion FFA Market Hog, $155,000 |
Where and When
The sale is held in the Cattle Barn at the Penningroth Media Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 East Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50317. The 2027 Iowa State Fair runs August 12-22, so the sale falls on the last Saturday of that run.
Questions
Can I enter my animal in the sale?
Not directly. Only the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion of each species in the 4-H and FFA shows sell.
Does the exhibitor keep the sale price?
Under the 2023 terms, exhibitors received 75 percent and the Foundation kept 25 percent.
Where do the scholarships come from?
The IFAA, supported by Iowa 4-H and FFA organizations and donors, as well as sale proceeds.
Who do I call?
The Iowa State Fair at 800-545-3247 (800-545-FAIR), or 515-262-3111.
Official Links
- Iowa State Fair: Sale of Champions
- 2026 Sale of Champions results
- 2026 fair record-setting news release
- 2023 sale records report
- 2026 4-H Beef premium book
- Entry deadlines
Iowa County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Iowa youth livestock shows run from county fairs in June through August to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, August 13 to 23, 2026, per the fair listing. County fairs set their own rules, so check your premium book.
State Fair deadlines
Entries for beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy and horse were due July 1, with late entries through July 8 for a fee. Poultry, rabbit and prospect calf entries were due July 15, per the entry deadlines page. Beef cattle require Iowa residency.
Ownership and weights
State Fair market beef must be identified in 4-H Online by February 1, and steers must weigh at least 900 lb, per the 4-H beef book. 4-H members can show through 12th grade, per the Iowa 4-H requirements.
Rules to check
Franklin County's 2025 rules show how county rules read: livestock owned by May 15, ID forms and YQCA certification due that day, official tags, and consent to drug testing on entry, per its rule sheet.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book and tagging dates.
Rules and dates differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Iowa County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference
Iowa Farm Bureau members meet for the annual meeting and county leadership conference at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, December 8-9, 2026.
Des Moines, IA Official event details - Iowa Pork Congress
Iowa Pork Producers Association winter pork industry show and trade fair in downtown Des Moines. Listed for January 20-21, 2027.
- Polk County 4-H & FFA Fair
Seven-day Polk County fair held on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, with free gate admission and parking and 4-H and FFA exhibits. Scheduled for July 17-23, 2027.
3000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317 Official event details - Iowa State Fair
Eleven-day state fair with 4-H livestock shows for beef, dairy, goats, horses, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine and dogs. Scheduled for August 12-22, 2027.
3000 East Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317 | 515-262-3111 Official event details - Iowa State Fair 4-H and FFA Competitions
FFA members enter livestock and static classes including beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, horse, poultry and rabbit at the Iowa State Fair, with online entries. Held each year during fair week; the 2027 fair is August 12-22.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.